UK MoD sets up COVID Support Force and halts Iraq training
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has placed 10,000 military personnel on high readiness as part of a COVID Support Force to support public services.
This brings to 20,000 the total number of military personnel ready to be mobilised to tackle the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The MoD also said that training will begin from 23 March for 150 personnel to drive oxygen tankers on behalf of the National Health Service.
Maj Gen Charlie Stickland, Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff Operations and Commitments, said the measures would give ‘greater flexibility to support public services as and when they require our assistance. The COVID Support Force, potentially drawing upon our highly skilled scientists… will form part of a whole force effort to support the country during its time of need’.
These measures come as Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence, announced the suspension of coalition training missions in Iraq for at least 60 days and the redeployment of soldiers in Iraq back to the UK.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US]()
Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
![US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry]()
US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry
The 2025 NSS has emphasised investment in the US nuclear and air defence inventory and national industry, but it leaves multiple unanswered questions on how the White House will implement this approach.
-
![Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners]()
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
-
![NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems]()
NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems
During the latest edition of the NATO DiBaX, the alliance tested multiple capabilities to inform requirements for future efforts.
